“I don’t know what you’re capable of…”
Although riding alone would be faster, the God of Thunder insisted on accompanying me as my guardian. I’ve never died, but I have been killed. Twice, by the same person… the furious God of Thunder, Christine.
“Christine, could we please hurry a little?”
Ashtar’s Empire’s threat should be effective in negotiations with Rothfar. The Knight Order waiting on the border between Rothfar and Ashtar serves as proof.
“…”
I know you’re trying, Christine, but since you’re not good at galloping, it’s taking too long. I considered letting you ride my horse, but it would still be slow with two people on one horse.
Yet, Christine stops her horse. Do you even realize we’re in a hurry? Perhaps you need to use the restroom?
“…Ride as if your life depends on it.”
I tapped the horse’s neck two or three times, and it whinnied and bolted. Fast! I could barely keep up, or rather, I was falling behind!
Christine’s power as the Goddess of Support is supposed to quicken the heartbeat and make one mistake it for love, but in this case, is it pumping up the heart? A black lightning bolt running in an excited state with forced blood flow.
We managed to catch up before Her Majesty the Queen could meet with Rothfar. If I had known from the start, I would have bet on a winning ticket with all my money… Unfortunately, Christine’s black horse had turned white by the time we arrived.
“We managed to make it before Her Majesty the Queen met with Rothfar.”
“…”
“That horse is probably no good as a warhorse anymore.”
“…”
“I hope someone from a farm will take it.”
“…I don’t want a male.”
I figured! If it were a mare, would you not have used your power of support?! Cherish life a little more, and cherish my heart too.
While riding my horse together, I called out to Lady Annelyse from horseback, though it was rude to Her Majesty the Queen.
“Your Majesty, Mikael Sin has arrived. Please allow me to accompany you.”
“…”
Huh? Annelyse, what’s wrong? Your beloved Shin-chan is here. You should be happier…
“You’ve worked hard. …Aren’t you busy, Baron Shin…”
There’s no business more urgent than coming to see you. I’ll pass on my superior’s invitation and overtime work. I came all the way here, even damaging a horse, and yet you’re so cold. Have you become a tsundere since becoming queen?
“No, please let me participate in the negotiations with Rothfar. We can bring Ashtar’s Empire to the table as equals if we use its name.”
Ashtar’s Empire’s objective is combat, and it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. As things stand, they might engage Rothfar in battle under the guise of Harmonia’s reinforcements. That must be avoided. Both Ashtar and Rothfar’s enemies are demons.
“Thank you. …Once this is over, return to Count Ernst.”
Crap! I still haven’t cleared up their misunderstanding. …Could you be jealous? I shouldn’t get carried away. I need to sincerely resolve Lady Annelyse’s misunderstanding. Rothfar and Ashtar can wait.
I told Lady Annelyse about the promise to deliver the assassin’s head that Count Ernst desired. Lady Annelyse, who knew that Yuma Bashar had killed His Majesty the King, couldn’t hide her distress, but decided to present Chitore, carved into the shape of a face, as a substitute.
Chitore is a symbol of marriage proposal, but it also signifies offering one’s own head, and it was sent to Count Ernst as a substitute for the assassin’s head.
Count Ernst probably took it as a proposal, but it is also the promised head. I explained the circumstances to Count Ernst and decided that if he didn’t accept, I would say the assassin is still being searched for.
Queen Anneliese highly appreciated my arrangements for Yuma Bashar’s well-being, and before entering the Rothfar army’s camp, she even addressed me as “Mikael.” It seems the retroactive reason was enough.
We entered the Rothfar army’s camp, raising a flag of truce. It was me, Christine, Lady Annelyse, Yuma, and ten knights.
Even with a flag of truce, the war would end if the country’s leader was taken down. A sense of tension gripped everyone except me and Christine. I’m confident I could escape with Lady Annelyse alone, and Christine views the Rothfar knights as nothing more than trash.
“Welcome. I am Renauld Patensen, attached to the Commander-in-Chief.”
A slightly plump man, the very picture of a sycophant, stepped forward and offered to guide us. He seemed to be talking about various things to ease the tension on the way to the Commander-in-Chief’s tent, but Lady Annelyse didn’t utter a word in response, and the procession moved steadily forward.
“Please come this way. We will be taking your weapons.”
The tent was large enough for a circus, and the interior was gorgeously decorated. Even I could tell that a lot of money had been spent on the furnishings. With this much expense, it’s practically a house.
Only the four of us were allowed inside. The accompanying knights were told to wait outside. Yet, once inside, we were met by heavily armed Rothfar knights. This is an exaggeration for welcoming just four people.
Has Lady Annelyse been overwhelmed by the atmosphere? I’d love to whistle, but I should maintain the dignity and etiquette of a baron of Ashtar’s Empire. …Though I don’t know any etiquette.
I can tell Yuma is also nervous. If things go wrong, Lady Annelyse and everyone else could be killed. Christine, as always, has that look of seeing trash. There’s not a hint of nervousness about her.
We were shown to seats where three severe-looking older men and one young man sat facing Lady Annelyse. There were only two seats for us: one for Her Majesty Queen Annelyse and, of course, one for me, a baron of Ashtar’s Empire. I can sit, right?
I can see they’re trying to gain an advantage in negotiations through sheer numbers and formality, but it seems ridiculous to me. We’re already at a disadvantage, so why the need to be so arrogant?
Patensen introduced the Rothfar side, and the young man turned out to be Rothfar’s Third Prince. He has money, status, and is handsome… I don’t like it.
Yuma Bashar mentioned he has a decent reputation for military achievements. He showed remarkable judgment in avoiding unnecessary battles when the White Lily Corps intervened. If he’s sharp, he’ll be troublesome.
Now, who will break the ice? It’s fine if I speak, but ideally, I’d like Lady Annelyse to speak first. Her first job as queen. I’ll support her. Perhaps this will be their first joint effort?
“To get straight to the point, what brings you here?”
The Third Prince, Markbaumer Rothfar, made the first move. Attack power: thirty. He immediately gets to the core of the matter with a simple greeting. No critical hit.
“Harmonia desires a ceasefire and peace with Rothfar.”
Lady Annelyse, Queen of Harmonia, makes her move. Attack power: ten. This is within Rothfar’s expectations. In fact, they probably think this is our only objective.
“You invade another country as you please, and that’s all you have to say?!”
The intimidating old man fires a supporting shot. Attack power: sixty. What the old man says is true. I couldn’t get away with just saying “sorry” after being punched.
“Regarding that, we have prepared sincere apologies and reparations.”
Lady Annelyse’s counterattack. Or rather, it’s only natural things to say. The former king took plenty of gold and treasures from the castle, and we can afford it by reclaiming our country.
“We will demand reparations after our investigation!”
Oh, he accepted it so easily. Attack power: must have been over a hundred. I thought he’d argue more… Is their objective not money?
“Then, is it agreed that a ceasefire and peace will be established?”
“Hmm…”
Third Prince Markbaumer replied with a bitter tone, but he must be smiling on the inside. Everything is going smoothly so far, perhaps too smoothly.
“We will send you our investigation report on reparations. Please send your apology in writing.”
The plump Patensen tries to conclude the conversation, but no one stands up, and no handshake is offered. Our main point is yet to come, and Markbaumer seems to know it.
“Yes, we look forward to it. …Your Highness, we have more to discuss…”
Markbaumer wears a smug smile. He seems to know what’s coming next. Well, he probably has a general idea.
“Harmonia is currently facing an existential crisis from the Demon Army. We humbly request Rothfar’s assistance.”
“…Wh- What are you saying! You attack our country and then ask for help! Don’t be ridiculous!”
Markbaumer gently pulls the hand of the intimidating old man, who is angrily standing up and down, and makes him sit down. It feels like watching a classic TV show.
“Even if we establish a ceasefire, we have no reason to help your country. Even if the Demon Lord comes, our Knight Order will trample them.”
Rothfar must have heard about Harmonia’s continued defeats. Don’t speak so casually of trampling. Try fighting a dragon yourself. Rothfar will be the one to be annihilated.
“The Demon Army is formidable. Do you think Rothfar alone can handle it? Harmonia has already sought help from Keibeck and Ashtar, and both have responded favorably. We earnestly request Rothfar’s assistance as well.”
A passing grade for a first attempt, don’t you think? It’s a bit too direct, but she can learn to throw curveballs later. How will the Third Prince counter?
“Enough! Rothfar alone is more than enough for the Demon Lord!”
That was a ball, old man. The conversation isn’t progressing. If Rothfar could handle it alone, they wouldn’t be encamped here; they’d be waiting in a city further back. …Strike three, inning change, home run.
“Excuse me. I am Mikael Sin, Baron of Ashtar’s Empire and Captain of the White Lily Mercenary Corps. Are you familiar with the name of my mercenary corps?”
“I am. I hear it’s also called the Annihilation Brigade. I didn’t know you were participating in Harmonia…”
Liar, handsome prince. You couldn’t possibly not know about the White Lily Corps, striking so flamboyantly. Defeating the Red Dragon would be something to go down in history.
“My mercenary corps has participated in almost every battle, but we have been driven back. That’s how powerful the Demon Army is.”
“That’s simply because you were weak! Rothfar is different!”
Oh, you’re going to say that? If you say that, I can think of a thousand comebacks. Who defeated the Giants! Who defeated the Dragons! If you can do it, I’ll leave it all to you.
“I want you to understand that even the Annihilation Brigade couldn’t win against them.”
To be precise, I don’t recall the White Lily Corps ever losing and retreating. It felt more like being caught up in a strategic withdrawal. No one in the White Lily Corps died, and the casualty rate of the brigade I led should be far lower.
“If Rothfar does not participate, are you prepared to fight Ashtar’s Empire? Currently, Ashtar’s Empire’s Knight Order is stationed along Rothfar’s border, and tomorrow they will cross the border and come to Harmonia as reinforcements, eliminating anyone who obstructs them.”
“Impossible! How could you possibly do such a thing!”
The old man, who’s been so feisty, is busy standing and sitting. Markbaumer, why don’t you tie him to his chair so he doesn’t stand up?
“Do you know the true objective of the Emperor of Ashtar?”
“The true objective? To aid Harmonia, surely.”
Finally, you’re on the mound, Third Prince. You were the objective from the start. Don’t let anyone else throw.
“That is incorrect. His Majesty the Emperor’s true objective is to fight. To create a powerful imperial army. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, as long as there’s a fight. Whether it’s the Demon Army or Rothfar…”
He hit it, a long drive. Is it a foul, into the bleachers, or into the left fielder’s mitt? After this, he’ll round the bases and return home, where Lady Annelyse is waiting.
“Ahya,”
“Good person.”
Stop breathing in my ear, it’s making me make strange noises. How can you be standing behind me all of a sudden? What are the guards here doing?! Iris, you like surprises, don’t you.
“The discussion… outside.”
The dark elf whispered in my ear, her form appearing suddenly. How did the Rothfar side perceive her? I’m not giving her away, you know. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?
“Please think about it!”
I raised my voice slightly and stood up. Iris coming all the way here to drag me outside must mean it’s an urgent matter or a reminder about guard duty…
“They’ve made a move.”
What! It’s not good for Ashtar to make a move right now. Not until we get confirmation from the Third Prince, or it could escalate into war.
“The main force of the Demon Army is heading towards the Knor Territory.”
This is even worse.
